Offices Held

Biography

Poole no doubt owed his appointment as one of the original gentlemen pensioners to his maternal uncle, Sir John Brydges†. His cousin Edmund Brydges† was appointed a gentleman pensioner at the same time. As Henry VIII’s ‘beloved servant’ Poole obtained a number of grants of land and money, but his appointment may not have extended into the reigns of Edward VI and Mary. Regarded as a safe Catholic in Mary’s reign, nothing is known of his religious views under Elizabeth, though his return for the county to the 1571 Parliament points to his having conformed. Under Elizabeth he was employed only on the usual local duties. He subscribed £25 to the Armada defence fund, just before his death, which took place on 24 or 25 Feb. 1589. His will, drawn up in June 1580, was proved only a week later. Some of his considerable lands had already been enfeoffed to his ‘very good lord’ Sir Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and others. Among the bequests were rings to the feoffees and overseers, engraved with the motto, ‘Be mindful of thy friend’.2